Ryobi BTS10S 10 inch Portable Table Saw

I bought the BTS12S 10 inch table saw (at Home Depot), which looks identical to this BTS10S. The only good things I can say about it is that it is cheap, and the motor isn't bad.

The blade guard is a dangerous joke - it is held onto the body with one bolt, so if the bolt loosens, the blade guard moves out of line with the blade and the wood jams up. The bolt cannot be tightened down enough to avoid rotation (one bolt? what are they thinking? this is a product liability nightmare!) So, within ten minutes of use, ripping 2x4s, the guard had rotated out of position, and gotten chewed up by the blade. Off came the guard.

If you are willing to work without a blade guard, then it isn't bad. The fence is small and easy to whack out of place, but can be tightened down sufficiently to hold pieces in place. The motor is fine. The body is light, so it isn't easy to work alone on this thing because even a 6 foot 2x4 will tip it over. But is easy to just pick up and haul...Read more

So Ryobi has made an incredible name for itself by putting out usable tools at half the price of the major competitors, even the Japanese companies. Their products aren't as good as, say, Makita, but they are way cheaper and in most cases they are usable. In this case, though, they were pushing it. Who would think that a tiny table saw, 10" blade, and a half-plastic housing, would be anything other than a joke, like when you order a "life size monster" from the back of a comic book and it turns out it is just a poster?

Well, this actually works. You aren't going to be planing boards with it, but for conventional cabinetry work, or where you may be making a large number of identical rips, this really is a great help. And most importantly, it can be large enough (with the table stand set up) to balance a reasonably long piece of wood (though too much weight will knock it right over). At the same time, it is small enough to disappear into a corner. And it is cheap...Read more

I bought the Ryobi because it was inexpensive and I was building a set of woodworking tools. Overall, it does a good job, was easy to setup and start using, and easy to move around (and tuck away when not in use). It comes with a stand, which was a big selling point for me. However, this table saw has some significant limitations, most of which are not a problem for a home user, but definitely dealbreakers for more serious woodworkers.

First, the table is way too small, and I've been unable to find an extension. I suppose I can make one, but it would be good to have an extension available.

Second, The miter is not particularly accurate and very difficult to adjust. I had trouble adjusting the miter to make the measurements accurate from 0 degree and 45 degree cuts. There are adjustment screws, but it did not provide a full range to cover 0 to 45, no matter what I tried. To make an adjustment, there is a nut that must be loosened, using a plastic wing. The...Read more